For over a decade, I have worked as a nurse with a specialization in palliative care. I support caregivers to provide care to elders who are near the end of their life. My passion is to teach caregivers how to clearly identify and successfully navigate the physical, emotional + mental changes that occur in the last years of life. My expertise is focused on helping caregivers develop communication skills + enhance self-awareness so that they are better able to be effective at caring for others without sacrificing themselves

I believe that having clear, honest, compassionate conversations about death allowspeople to live deeply in ways that are uniquely meaningful until they die.

EDUCATION + QUALIFICATIONS + EXPERIENCE

For more details of my education, qualification & experience I invite you to check out my Linked In profile.Thank you!

INTERESTS

Hospice Palliative Care

Elders

Dementia Care

Supporting families and staff working with those at end of life

Grief and loss

Research regarding quality palliative care in long term care settings

Holistic, empowered, participatory approaches to healing and learning

Intergenerational and multi-cultural perspectives

Adult education

Death rituals and passages according to different religions and cultures

Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index & its impact on health of individuals and societies

Healing societies and its relation to population health

Servant leadership

CREATIVE WORK ASPIRATIONS

Priorities:

Write & illustrate a cheeky, tender companion workbook aimed at engaging audiences reflect, do activities and have conversations to expand awareness of death and appreciation of life (completed November 2014, currently researching publishing strategies)

Creating dynamic, engaging, informative and inspiring educational modules for patients, families and staff in the following topics: (talks + workshops in planning stage, to be offered Autumn 2015)

How to Talk About Death + Dying

What is a Palliative Approach to Care?

Advanced Care Planning 101

Do Your Best Living Even While You Are Dying

How to Prepare for the Death of a Loved One

More:

Participating in creating rituals and meaningful ceremonies to assist with life transitions

Make A Wish Foundation for adults and older adults

Artistic direction for public festivals celebrating death

Event planning for living wakes, celebrations of life, funerals

Collaborating with like-minded others locally and internationally

Projects that have a special focus on soliciting the stories of others and increasing inter-generational, inter-cultural dialogue

HOW DID I GET HERE?

Read a tiny bit about the life experience that leads to an almost decade long career in hospice palliative care.

Composed March 2013, Revised October 2014

Community Work

Death Cafe Vancouver, April 2013: Co-Host with Ross Waddell (Full Article)At a Death Cafe people drink tea, eat cake and discuss death. Our aim is to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their (finite) lives. - See more at: http://deathcafe.com

1st Annual Community Forum, January 2017: Panelist + Presenter (Event Link)Panelist on the topic of embracing cultural diversity in the end of life journey.Presenter - 4 Question Foundation for Meaningful Conversations, Especially for Goals of Care + Care Planning conversations